AP: Senate Republicans Block Border Deal

Border deal included aid for Israel and Ukraine

Senate Republicans recently blocked a bipartisan border security and

immigration reform package, ending negotiations aimed at addressing the surge in illegal border crossings. The legislation, including $60 billion in aid for Ukraine and $14 billion for Israel, failed to advance with a 49-50 vote, missing the 60 votes needed. This decision followed Republican claims that the compromise did not adequately address border issues despite pairing with international aid, a condition they had demanded.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced plans to pursue the international aid separately, indicating the challenges of reaching a consensus on border security. The bill’s failure reflects deep divisions within Congress on managing border security and immigration alongside foreign aid commitments. Critics, including some Republicans and Independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema, blamed the blockade on partisan politics, seeing it as a missed opportunity to address longstanding issues.

The outcome highlights the difficulty of legislating on complex issues like border security and immigration reform in a divided government. The standoff affected U.S. foreign policy and border management efforts.

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WaPo: U.S. Strike Kills Militia Leader in Iraq

Key Target was Iranian-backed group, Kata’ib Hezbollah

A U.S. military strike in Baghdad on Wednesday resulted in the death of the

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby

leader of Kata’ib Hezbollah, a militia group accused of planning attacks on American troops. This Iranian-backed group has been linked to numerous attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria. The strike has raised concerns of backlash in Iraq, where the government has condemned the ongoing violence and expressed frustration over being caught in the conflict between the U.S. and Iran-supported militias.

Recent U.S. actions in Iraq and Syria have led to civilian casualties, prompting protests from the Iraqi government. The U.S. has defended its actions as necessary to protect its troops, with officials emphasizing their commitment to respond to threats against approximately 3,500 American military personnel in the region.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, in a statement to Fox News, underscored the impact of the attacks on American families, stating, “Three Americans were killed, three troops; three families now are grieving. The president is determined not to remain passive in the face of such losses and will take appropriate action in response.”

Read the full article here.

RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel Expected To Step Down

Trump Dissatisfied With McDaniel’s Leadership

Ronna McDaniel, the Chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC), is

reportedly planning to step down this spring amid escalating criticisms from former President Donald Trump regarding her leadership. This development follows a meeting between McDaniel and Trump at Mar-a-Lago, signaling a potential shift in the RNC’s direction, as confirmed by sources wishing to remain anonymous.

The New York Times first broke the story, suggesting McDaniel’s exit could follow the South Carolina primary on February 24. Serving her fourth term, McDaniel was initially expected to remain in office until 2025. However, her tenure has been marred by disagreements with Trump, especially over the handling of Republican primary debates against his wishes, leading to a strained relationship. Continue reading “RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel Expected To Step Down”

Homeland Security Secretary Escapes Impeachment

Votes go against Republicans 214-216

In a significant reversal, House Republicans were unable to proceed with the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, falling just short of the necessary votes due to a lack of unanimous GOP support. This effort was part of a broader attempt to hold the Biden administration accountable for its immigration policies, particularly the handling of the U.S.-Mexico border. Despite the unified opposition from Democrats, the slim Republican majority required nearly full party alignment to pass the impeachment articles.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, acknowledging the gravity of impeachment, had lobbied for support among GOP members, framing the situation as requiring drastic measures due to exceptional circumstances. The move against Mayorkas was politically charged, coinciding with an escalation of border security as a key issue for the 2024 elections, a narrative strongly pushed by Republicans and former President Donald Trump.

The impeachment initiative targeted Mayorkas for what Republicans describe as a failure to manage the border effectively, amid rising numbers of migrants. The House Democrats, however, dismissed the impeachment as a political stunt to curry favor with Trump, lacking substantial grounds as defined by the Constitution.

Even if the House had succeeded in impeaching Mayorkas, conviction in the Senate seemed unlikely, with many Republican senators expressing skepticism about the effort. This impeachment push came as Republicans also pursued investigations into President Biden and his family, with Secretary Mayorkas being a notable focus due to the border situation and the flow of fentanyl into the U.S.

The impeachment proceedings lacked the intensity of previous instances, with key figures such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene leading the charge against Mayorkas. Critics within the GOP, including Reps. Tom McClintock and Ken Buck, argued against the impeachment, questioning its constitutional basis and political motivation.

The failed impeachment effort reflects a broader trend of using such measures for political aims, raising concerns about the implications for governance and the constitutional balance of powers.

AP: Trump Civil Trial Drama Continues As Judge Wants Answers Regarding Former CFO’s New Perjury Plea

Engoron wants answers from Trump’s legal team by 5PM Wednesday

The civil fraud trial involving Donald Trump has taken a significant turn as

Judge Arthur Engoron seeks further information about Allen Weisselberg, the Trump Organization’s former CFO, amid reports he’s negotiating a plea deal for perjury related to his trial testimony. Engoron’s request follows a New York Times article suggesting Weisselberg might admit to lying under oath during the trial in October. If proven false, this development could lead to the judge disregarding Weisselberg’s testimony.

The case, brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, accuses Trump and his associates, including Weisselberg, of inflating Trump’s wealth on financial statements. Weisselberg’s potential perjury involves his claims about the valuation of Trump’s penthouse and his minimal concern for its size discrepancies. In addition to this civil lawsuit, Weisselberg has faced legal issues before, having served time for tax evasion and currently being on probation. This inquiry into his honesty is separate from another criminal case against Trump, highlighting the complex web of legal challenges surrounding Trump and his business empire.

The investigation into Weisselberg’s statements in the civil lawsuit is distinct from the criminal charges District Attorney Bragg filed against Trump last year, accusing him of manipulating company records to conceal hush money payments. The trial for those charges is set to start in late March.

Read the full AP article here.

AP: Biden to Congress: “Show Some Backbone!”

President lays blame for immigration bill failure solely on Donald Trump

President Joe Biden urged Congress to confront Donald Trump and criticized the collapse of a Senate deal on border enforcement and Ukraine aid, attributing the failure to Trump’s influence over Republicans. The breakdown of the deal, which included $60 billion in aid for Ukraine and enhancements to U.S.-Mexico border control, highlighted the challenges Biden faces in advancing his foreign policy and securing bipartisan support. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell admitted the deal’s failure, underlining the divided stance within his party and Trump’s sway. Biden blamed Trump for intimidating Republicans into opposing the proposal, emphasizing the need for Congress to act in the nation’s interest. Despite efforts to broker a compromise that would demonstrate American leadership globally and support allies, the deadlock persists, affecting U.S. aid to Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia. The situation underscores the political dynamics influencing legislative action on national security and immigration, with Biden and Senate leaders facing opposition from conservatives led by Trump.

Read the full Associated Press article here.

MAGA Republicans Introduce Resolution Claiming Trump Not Responsible For Insurrection

Republican leaders take bold steps to rewrite history

Led by Representative Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), a group of 62 House Republicans MAGA Republicans Matt Gaetz and Elise Stefanik lead the charge to declare Trump not responsible for J6 Insurrection has proposed a resolution to formally state that former President Donald Trump did not partake in insurrection or rebellion against the United States. This move represents a broader attempt by some Republicans to reinterpret the events surrounding Trump’s actions after the 2020 election, which culminated in a violent breach of the U.S. Capitol by his supporters during the certification of the election results. Over 1,200 individuals have faced legal charges in relation to the Capitol attack.

Following the incident, the House of Representatives impeached Trump for incitement of insurrection, although the Senate later acquitted him. The resolution emerges amid deliberations by the Supreme Court on whether Trump could be barred from future ballots under the 14th Amendment, which prohibits individuals who have engaged in insurrection from holding federal office. This legal scrutiny is distinct from other criminal cases against Trump, including those linked to the Capitol riot.

Claim of “No basis” for Trump’s removal from ballot

Republicans have argued that without a formal charge of insurrection against Trump, there should be no basis to exclude him from state ballots, suggesting the Supreme Court might rule in favor of this viewpoint. They have also attempted to minimize the severity of the January 6 events, with some claiming Trump and his followers were merely exercising their First Amendment rights and others dismissing the day’s violence as exaggerated.

Representatives like Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.) have defended Trump’s actions as free speech, while Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) likened the chaos to a regular day in Missouri’s Capitol. Additionally, Gaetz and others have hinted at potential FBI involvement in the crowd’s actions without directly accusing the agency, differentiating between the rioters’ violence and an act of insurrection by Trump.

AP: Michigan School Shooter Mom Jennifer Crumbley Found Guilty Of Manslaughter

Verdict sets new precedent for parental neglect

In a precedent-setting case in Michigan, Jennifer Crumbley was found

Jennifer Crumbley being taken into custody after manslaughter verdict

guilty of involuntary manslaughter for her role in the tragic 2021 Oxford High School shooting that left four students dead. The jury determined that she was significantly negligent for not informing the school about the family’s firearms, including the 9 mm handgun her son, Ethan Crumbley, used in the shooting. The case highlighted her failure to secure the firearm and address her son’s mental health issues. Despite her claims of no signs of mental distress in her son and believing it was her husband’s responsibility to track the gun, evidence and her admission depicted a lack of preventive measures. Ethan Crumbley, who has pleaded guilty to murder and terrorism, is serving a life sentence. This trial marks the first time parents have been charged in connection with a mass school shooting committed by their child in the U.S.

Read the full AP article here.

Watch the verdict

AP: Prime Minister of Qatar stated that Hamas’s reaction to the proposed cease-fire in Gaza was ‘overall positive’

Mediation attempts between Qatar and U.S. State Department hopeful, but not conclusive

Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Prime Minister of Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken meets with meets with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Doha, Qatar, October 13, 2023. [State Department photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain] Qatar communicated a cautiously optimistic stance from Hamas regarding a proposed ceasefire and hostage release plan in Gaza during talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. This discussion is part of ongoing efforts by Qatar, the U.S., and Egypt to mediate a ceasefire to end hostilities and facilitate the release of hostages taken by Hamas during an attack that escalated the conflict nearly four months ago. While Hamas has indicated a positive response to the proposal, it seeks a comprehensive ceasefire, a stance not accepted by Israel.

Blinken’s visit to the Middle East, including stops in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, aims to negotiate a ceasefire, discuss the potential normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, and prevent further regional conflict escalation. However, the situation is complicated by Israel’s potential expansion of combat to areas near the Egyptian border, raising humanitarian and security concerns, including the displacement of Palestinians and a strain on Egypt-Israel relations.

The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with thousands of Palestinians dead and a humanitarian crisis worsening in Gaza. Efforts to mediate a ceasefire face challenges due to differing stances between Israel and Hamas, and the broader regional context is affected by actions of Iran-backed militias and U.S. military responses. Blinken’s diplomatic mission seeks to address these complex issues amid ongoing violence and humanitarian needs in Gaza.

Source: https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-02-06-2024-30c536e5f4487700d9666b9b3ddd3564

Court Finds Trump Not Immune From Prosecution

SCOTUS Appeal By Former President Expected

A federal appeals court has determined that former President Donald Donald Trump. Photo by Greg Skidmore Trump is eligible to be tried on charges linked to his attempts to contest the 2020 election outcome, dismissing his claims of immunity. This pivotal decision opens the door for potential further legal challenges, possibly escalating to the U.S. Supreme Court, and casts doubt on when the trial might proceed. The unanimous verdict from the court underlined that no individual, including ex-presidents, is exempt from the law, countering Trump’s assertion of absolute authority. This ruling is consistent with prior dismissals of Trump’s immunity defenses, underlining the significant political ramifications of when the trial is set to occur. As Trump seeks a return to the presidency, he is concurrently facing various legal battles, including accusations of holding classified documents unlawfully, efforts to undermine Georgia’s election results, and involvement in hush money payments.

The court stated, “We cannot uphold former President Trump’s claim that a President possesses limitless power to engage in criminal activities that would invalidate the essential check of executive power—the acknowledgment and execution of election outcomes. Nor can we endorse his implied belief that the Executive has complete freedom to infringe upon the voting rights of citizens and the counting of those votes.”

This ruling advances the case towards a jury trial and comes before the Supreme Court’s review of whether Trump’s conduct related to January 6 disqualifies him from holding presidential office under the Constitution’s insurrection clause. Trump intends to challenge the immunity ruling at the full D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. Despite facing legal challenges, Trump’s strategy includes attempting to postpone any trial until after the next presidential election, where he is a leading candidate for the Republican nomination. This decision disputes Trump’s argument that former presidents are shielded from prosecution for actions tied to their official duties without impeachment and conviction first. Legal scholars and appellate judges have critiqued Trump’s position, pointing out the contradiction in claiming immunity while participating in activities that may breach criminal statutes. The ongoing case poses critical questions about the limits of presidential responsibility and the extent of immunity for actions conducted in office.

Sources:

https://apnews.com/article/trump-capitol-riot-presidential-immunity-appeal-46c2d7fc7807cd3262764d35e47f390e

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/02/06/trump-jan-6-immunity-appeal-denied/